In the early doors of the 2025 AFL season, no player has been covered in the media as much as Harley Reid.
The 19-year-old from Tongala, Victoria enters just his second season at the West Coast Eagles after being drafted with the number one pick in 2023, and continues to have a target on his back after being an overwhelming talking point in year one.
Struggling to make an impact in his first two games, and evidently frustrated, Reid has been lamented in the media for being distracted by trash-talking tiffs, emphasised by a middle finger to a hostile Brisbane supporter in Round 2.
The gesture was plainly tongue-in-cheek but Reid copped a whack from media personalities and the MRO, sanctioned a $1000 fine.
Speaking to News Corp at the launch of his partnership with Optimum Nutrition, Reid said life as a high-profile footballer has taken plenty of adjusting.
โIt was obviously a huge adjustment from what I am used to, I guess, and a lot of players don't go through that type of stuff,โ Reid said.
โIt's something I'm still getting used to, but I have got more comfortable over the past 18 months and I try not to read into it too much either.
โI think on field is the best time of the week, you go out there, you feel free, the external noise is kind of irrelevant and you just feel free.
โI just remember where I came from, who I am and that we're all in the team for a reason, to play a role, so it's kind of executing my role and how can I help influence this team to win.โ
After a tough start to his sophomore AFL campaign, Reid reflected on how he plans to reach top form again, after showing glimpses of his potential in 2024 that evidenced why he was the top pick of his draft class.
โFor me it's kind of going back to what I bring to the game and I think if I have done the work during the week and prepared best, I let my footy do the talking,โ Reid said.
โI think if I am confident enough, my talent will take over and I'll be able to play my best footy.
โLast year, consistency probably wasn't there as much as I would have liked, so this year it's something I want to strive to improve and be consistent through the year, not just one or two games here or there and also maintain it for four quarters.
โโGov' (Jeremy McGovern) has been huge for that, he's given me a few little tips and tweaks to bring into my game to get consistency and bring back what I do best in those times when I feel a bit out of it.
โ...I'm keen to get out and play a sustainable role in the midfield alongside 'TK' (Tim Kelly), 'Yeoy' (Elliot Yeo), (Jack) Graham, (Liam) Duggan, some exciting players coming across and then Bailey Williams and Matt Flynn.
โI think it comes back to the willingness to get better and striving to be the best you can and the best version of yourself on and off the field.โ
Not only has the pressures of performing impacted Reid, but constant speculation on his contract future has plagued Reid's career since he was drafted to the Eagles.
On an initial three-year deal, Reid is contracted until the end of 2026, but it hasn't prevented regular discourse about his career beyond that.
While Reid dismissed queries on a potential move to his home state when speaking to News Corp, he lauded the work West Coast had done to make him feel comfortable.
โThere's some similarities (Perth) but โTonny' only has a population of about 1200 so there's a bit of a difference there,โ Reid said lightheartedly.
โThey've (West Coast) been great, with all the new draftees coming in, they look after them super well and just make it feel like another home very quickly.
โYou know what footy clubs are like, they are very tight and have a good culture and obviously their values make people feel welcome and feel at home.
โThey've been great, not just for me but for all players who have come from different states and other clubs.โ
Reid will look to get on the right track in the Western Derby this Sunday. The star midfielder was dominant in his first Derby encounter, collecting 19 disposals and kicking three goals in an upset victory for the Eagles last season.
This time, both sides sit 0-2 and are coming off close defeats in Round 2, setting the 60th Derby up to be a classic.
